Draftbit vs. FlutterFlow vs. Adalo: Which App Builder Is Best?📱🤔

You're weighing Draftbit, FlutterFlow, and Adalo to find the right no-code platform for your app. Each takes a different approach to app development, so understanding those differences is key to making the right choice.

Adalo is a no-code app builder for database-driven web apps and native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms, published to the Apple App Store and Google Play. Draftbit generates React Native source code for developers who want more customization control. FlutterFlow is a visual builder that exports Flutter code, requiring technical knowledge to deploy and maintain.

What matters most is app success—launching your MVP as fast as possible and reaching the biggest audience. That means publishing not just a web app, but native iOS and Android apps directly to the app stores, where you gain access to massive built-in audiences and critical features like push notifications. The comparison below breaks down how each platform handles speed to launch, multi-platform reach, and app store publishing.

Draftbit vs. FlutterFlow vs. Adalo: Head-to-Head Comparison

When comparing Draftbit vs. FlutterFlow vs. Adalo, the choice depends on your technical background and goals. Draftbit suits agencies and large organizations with React Native expertise. FlutterFlow works for technical users building single apps on Google's Flutter framework. Adalo, an AI-powered app builder, delivers the ideal combination of ease and power—true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase, with AI-assisted building that makes app creation accessible to everyone.

Read on to discover:

• Summary of the 3 platforms' differences
• Similarities between FlutterFlow, Draftbit, and Adalo
• Reviews of each app builder's features, intended audience, pricing, and more
• How each app builder applies to different use cases

Take a quick look at the table below to learn the major differences between these three platforms.

TL;DR: A Quick Summary of Differences

Category	Draftbit	FlutterFlow	Adalo
Pricing	Starting at $29/month	Starting at $70/month for app store publishing	Starting at $36/month (billed annually)
Who It's Best For	Tech-savvy users with React Native knowledge	Technical users familiar with Flutter/Dart	Users of all skill levels, from beginners to developers
Unique Features	AI image generator, live code view, GitHub integration	FlutterFlow Ambassadors, AI-code generator, Playground	Magic Start AI generation, Magic Add features, X-Ray performance analysis, unlimited database records
App Publishing	Publish to Apple App Store and Google Play Store	Publish to Apple App Store and Google Play Store	Publish to Apple App Store and Google Play Store from single codebase
Database	Requires external database setup	Requires external database (Firebase, Supabase, etc.)	Built-in database with no record limits on paid plans
Learning Resources	Documents, video tutorials, community forum	Documents, tutorials, FlutterFlow Playground, Ambassadors	Documents, video tutorials, community forum, AI-assisted building
Integration Support	GitHub, Zapier, REST APIs	Firebase, APIs, third-party services	Over 100 plugins and 5,500+ third-party integrations

While the table indicates that Draftbit and FlutterFlow share technical requirements, all three platforms have key commonalities worth understanding.

Similarities

Draftbit, FlutterFlow, and Adalo share the following 5 features:

• Publish to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store: Each platform lets you publish a native mobile app to both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. This capability lets your users download your app directly to their phones. Publishing your app to the app stores puts it in front of a massive audience—both stores have a combined user base of billions.

• Thriving ecosystem: Each platform has a collection of resources that allow you to learn every aspect of the app-building process. These include helpful documents, video tutorials, and step-by-step instructions. Each app builder has an online forum where you can join the community, access expert knowledge, and share your app-building experience.

• Affordable entry points: All three platforms offer entry-level pricing tiers, though the value varies significantly. Adalo's $36/month annual plan includes app store publishing and unlimited usage, while competitors may require higher tiers or additional costs for comparable features.

• Free version without credit card: Before you commit your hard-earned money to the app-building platform of your choice, you can take advantage of a free version. This gives you a good feel for the platform and whether it meshes with your workflow. You won't be asked for credit card information—you only pay when you decide to purchase a paid version.

• Power and flexibility: Want to make a social-media app for carpenters, a takeout app for your restaurant, a booking system for your salon, or do you have a unique SaaS idea? All three platforms have the power, flexibility, and functionality to make various app ideas a reality, though they differ in how much technical skill they require.

Adalo

Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates database-driven web apps and true native iOS and Android apps—one version across all three platforms. You don't need any tech or programming skills to create an app with Adalo. The platform's AI-assisted building and streamlined publishing enable launch to the Apple App Store and Google Play in days rather than months. Adalo is so intuitive that you can build your app right after signing up without consulting any tutorials.

With the Adalo 3.0 infrastructure overhaul launched in late 2025, the platform is now 3-4x faster and features modular infrastructure that scales with your app's needs. This means no record limits on paid plans and performance that maintains speed even as your user base grows to millions.

Features

• While Adalo is one of the easiest app builders on the market, it doesn't sacrifice power for simplicity. The platform offers a perfect balance between functionality and ease of use—it comes with enough features and design freedom to take any app from idea to reality. Over 3 million apps have been created on Adalo, with the visual builder described as "easy as PowerPoint."

• When you build with Adalo, you create apps for web, iOS, and Android simultaneously from a single codebase. This responsive approach means you won't need to make major adjustments to transform your web app into native mobile versions—one build publishes everywhere.

• Adalo includes AI-powered features that accelerate development. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions—tell it you need a booking app for a dog grooming business, and it creates your database structure, screens, and user flows automatically. Magic Add lets you add features by describing what you want in natural language.

• The platform includes X-Ray, an AI tool that identifies performance issues before they affect users, helping you build apps that scale smoothly.

• Adalo has useful built-in features like a GPS tool for easy navigation and Stripe integration for taking payments, plus Sheetbridge for turning Google Sheets into actual databases without database-related learning curves.

Who It's Good For

Adalo appeals to both the tech crowd and the tech-averse crowd. The platform provides enough simplicity and power for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and small and medium business owners to bring any app idea to life. Seasoned developers also appreciate the speed of AI-assisted building combined with the ability to add custom code when needed.

Pros

• Adalo provides nearly pixel-perfect design freedom, allowing you to move elements, pictures, and other items around your app free-form using your mouse. The visual builder can display up to 400 screens at once on a single canvas, giving you complete visibility into your app's structure.

• You'll be able to integrate your app with third-party services like Zapier, QuickBooks, and over 5,500 others through 100+ plugins. This allows you to create a truly versatile app connected to the tools your business already uses.

• Adalo is a full-fledged app builder: You'll create your app's frontend, backend, and database all within Adalo. This means you won't need to find, learn, and pay for a separate backend builder to organize your data—a significant advantage over FlutterFlow, which requires external database setup.

• Unlimited database records on paid plans with no usage-based charges. Unlike competitors with record limits and unpredictable billing, Adalo's pricing is straightforward with no bill shock.

• Modular infrastructure scales to 1M+ MAU with no upper ceiling. With proper data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million monthly active users.

Cons

• While fully loaded and customizable, Adalo doesn't offer as many templates as some other app-building platforms—though the nearly 40 available templates cover most common use cases.

• Adalo doesn't allow you to export your app's source code, which may matter if you plan to eventually move to custom development.

Pricing

Adalo's Starter plan, at $45/month (billed monthly) or $36/month (billed annually), lets you publish one app to the web and app stores with unlimited usage and unlimited database records. The Professional plan, at $65/month (billed monthly) or $52/month (billed annually), includes features like push notifications and publishing up to two apps with five app editors. Both plans come with custom fonts and domains.

All Adalo plans now have unlimited usage with no app action charges—the usage-based billing that previously caused unpredictable costs has been removed entirely.

If you sign up for Adalo's Team version at $200/month (billed monthly), Adalo will also cover your subscription to Xano, a powerful backend builder, for $99/month. Xano allows you to create a custom database, connect APIs, and customize your backend logic for advanced use cases.

Draftbit

Draftbit is a low-code app builder that blends simple elements of visual building with more advanced technical concepts, giving you more control over your app-building process than most platforms offer—but requiring significant technical knowledge in return.

Features

• Draftbit's AI image generator lets you create unique images. Key in how you want your images to appear, and Draftbit's AI will create them for you.

• You can watch your code update in real-time while crafting your app using Draftbit's drag-and-drop interface. Then, add custom code if you want to build unique functions.

• When you finish building your app, use Draftbit's iOS and Android testing features to ensure your app is ready for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These can help you avoid publishing headaches.

• Draftbit integrates with GitHub, Zapier, and several other third-party applications to extend your app's functionality.

Pricing

Draftbit differentiates itself by offering three pricing levels. The first level targets freelancers and entrepreneurs, with a plan starting at $29/month (billed monthly). It lets you publish to the app stores and create unlimited draft apps, allowing you to publish one.

If you want to build bigger apps with more screens, go with the Pro Version for $79/month (billed monthly).

The second pricing level is geared toward agencies or enterprises that need to publish several apps. The basic tier is $249/month (billed monthly), allowing you to publish up to 15 apps per month with a team of up to 5 collaborators.

Draftbit also provides a third pricing level where you outsource building your app to Draftbit's development team. Starting at $2,000/month (billed monthly), Draftbit's team will spend 8 hours weekly developing your app, and you'll communicate with them directly as they build it.

Who It's Good For

Because Draftbit is a low-code app-building platform, you'll need technical knowledge such as understanding how code works, working with JavaScript Object Notation (JSON), and the ability to structure data in a database. If you aren't familiar with these concepts, using Draftbit will be challenging.

If you're a large organization developing internal tools or an agency looking for a low-code platform, Draftbit could be an option. They provide enterprise and agency plans with features specifically designed for large companies and agencies.

Pros

• It seamlessly blends visual and code-based development, allowing you to design and develop mobile apps. You won't need to be a full-stack developer to create a unique, powerful app.

• Draftbit has a live preview feature that lets you see changes in real time as you build your app. This saves you the hassle of constantly switching between your editor and test environments.

• The platform comes with several REST API integrations that let you draw data from external apps and databases with ease. This can add more functionality to your app.

Cons

• In addition to having technical knowledge about database schema and APIs, you'll also need familiarity with React Native—Draftbit's architecture is built on it.

• While its code export feature is beneficial in some cases, exported code may not always be fully optimized or aligned with your specific coding standards—it could contain bugs and other issues that may hinder further development.

• Like FlutterFlow, Draftbit requires you to set up and manage your own external database, adding complexity and potential additional costs to your project.

FlutterFlow

Like Draftbit, FlutterFlow is a low-code web and native mobile app builder. It leverages a drag-and-drop interface similar to photo-editing software, providing design flexibility and control—but requiring technical expertise to use effectively.

Features

• FlutterFlow provides abundant resources for learning the building interface. One particularly unique learning feature is the FlutterFlow Ambassadors, experts who create YouTube videos about learning FlutterFlow with tips and tricks.

• You can try FlutterFlow without signing up. Visit the FlutterFlow Playground and tinker with its building interface to see how it feels—no signup information required.

• Want to create code but don't want to write it out? Look no further than FlutterFlow's AI-code generator, which produces lines of code after you enter a prompt.

Pricing

FlutterFlow's pricing structure requires careful consideration. The entry-level paid plan at $30/month (billed monthly) only lets you download your source code—it doesn't include app store publishing.

For simple publishing to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and GitHub integration, you'll need the $70/month (billed monthly) tier. This price still doesn't include a database—you'll need to source, set up, and pay for an external database like Firebase or Supabase separately.

If you're a large company looking to develop an app at scale, try FlutterFlow's Enterprise option with enterprise-level security and hands-on support. Contact FlutterFlow for pricing info.

Who It's Good For

FlutterFlow is a low-code platform requiring a skill set similar to Draftbit. You'll need familiarity with the Flutter framework and Dart programming language. The platform has developed an ecosystem rich with experts because many users need help—and end up spending significant sums chasing scalability when their database setup isn't optimal.

Pros

• FlutterFlow is built on Google's Flutter framework and powered by Dart, enabling you to create visually appealing mobile apps that perform on iOS, Android, and the web. This can also make publishing to the app stores smoother for those familiar with the framework.

• You can seamlessly connect your app with various APIs, Firebase, and third-party services. This capability streamlines development while providing options to extend your app's functionality.

• The platform is packed with pre-built components and templates that you can add to your app, accelerating the development process without sacrificing design quality.

Cons

• You'll need to be familiar with the Flutter framework and Dart to publish your app with FlutterFlow, meaning you'll need significant technical skills.

• FlutterFlow relies heavily on the Flutter framework. While this is great for Flutter development, it's not ideal if you're creating software to work primarily with other frameworks.

• While you can type in your own code, the only code FlutterFlow allows is Dart, which is not as widespread as Python or JavaScript. Even if you use the AI generator to create Dart commands, you'll still need to understand how the Dart language works.

• FlutterFlow's builder is limited in view—you can only see 2 screens at once, slowing down development compared to Adalo's ability to display up to 400 screens on a single canvas.

• Database setup complexity: FlutterFlow requires you to manage and set up your own unrelated database, which requires significant learning—especially when looking for scale, as anything less than optimal setup can create problems. This is why the ecosystem has so many experts offering paid help.

Use Cases: When to Choose Draftbit, FlutterFlow, or Adalo

Knowing which app builder is best suited for you requires understanding how each platform executes your desired tasks. Here are 4 separate use cases and how each tool applies:

1. Building Customizable Mobile Apps with React Native Compatibility

React Native, an open-source framework, allows you to build mobile applications for iOS and Android compatibility. You can create mobile apps with high levels of customization and access to native device features. It's particularly suitable if you want to publish on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Here's what to consider:

• Choose Draftbit: Because Draftbit is built on React Native, it's a robust choice. You'll get significant control and flexibility over your app's performance, allowing you to fine-tune, modify, and polish your source code. Yet, you'll need to be very familiar with React Native to leverage these powerful features.

• Choose FlutterFlow: Although FlutterFlow isn't built on React Native, it can deliver high-performance cross-platform apps. FlutterFlow excels if you have projects requiring scalable design and integration with Google's ecosystem. However, if you require React Native compatibility to integrate with an existing React Native project, FlutterFlow might not be the right choice.

• Choose Adalo: If you're looking to create an advanced app on React Native but want to build a simple MVP first, go with Adalo. The platform's AI-assisted building makes it easy enough (even more so for techies) to build your startup app fast and test it on Android and iOS ecosystems by publishing to both app stores. Then, you can create the next stage of your app using a platform compatible with React Native.

2. Building a Firebase-Integrated App with a Stellar UI/UX

Firebase is a cloud platform built in the Google ecosystem that provides tools for authentication, real-time database, cloud functions, and storage, enabling seamless app performance. To construct a Firebase-integrated app with a jaw-dropping UI/UX, you'll need a development platform combining backend power and design flexibility.

Here's what to look for:

• Choose Draftbit: Draftbit has loads of prebuilt components and tools combined with a powerful drag-and-drop interface to build a stunning user interface. You'll also be able to code in your features using Python or JavaScript so you can build out unique frontend components. You can connect to Firebase via REST API, giving you nearly full access to the platform. If you're a techie, Draftbit is a solid choice.

• Choose FlutterFlow: Because FlutterFlow is built around Google's Flutter framework, it's exceptionally well-suited for Firebase services like authentication, Firestore, and cloud functions. This, coupled with its out-of-the-box Firebase integration, allows for a seamless connection to the platform. Combined with its powerful drag-and-drop interface and capability to create custom code commands using Dart, FlutterFlow provides flexibility and security.

• Choose Adalo: If you don't have coding experience but still want to create a beautiful app integrated with Firebase, you can do so on Adalo. Adalo has an API integration with Firebase, allowing you to connect easily, and you'll also be able to customize your app without using any code. Plus, Adalo's built-in database with unlimited records on paid plans means you may not even need Firebase for many use cases.

3. Building Prototypes, MVPs, or Apps Quickly Without Code

If you don't have programming experience and want to build an app to test an idea or validate a concept, or maybe you're a seasoned developer who wants to release a startup app without any fuss, read on to learn which tool best suits these use cases.

Here's how to decide:

• Choose Draftbit: Although it features a simple user interface, loads of templates, and several premade components, Draftbit is a viable tool for prototyping and creating smaller web apps. However, it's geared towards the tech crowd, so if you don't understand technical concepts like programming logic, you'll struggle.

• Choose FlutterFlow: If you're looking to create a small MVP for publishing in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, FlutterFlow can serve as a viable option since the Flutter framework makes it compatible with Android and iOS. And, just like Draftbit, you'll have access to a drag-and-drop interface for quick app construction. Yet, you'll need tech experience to use the platform, as it's low-code.

• Choose Adalo: Compared with Draftbit and FlutterFlow, Adalo is the best choice for prototyping and building a startup app. That's because Adalo is genuinely accessible to non-technical users, and you won't need any tech or programming skills to use the platform. Magic Start can generate complete app foundations from a simple description—what used to take days of planning happens in minutes. You'll be able to publish your MVP to the web, Apple App Store, and Google Play Store from a single codebase.

4. Scaling and Maintaining Long-Term Code Ownership

Want to scale your new app so you can reach an audience in the 100,000s or more? Perhaps you want to keep your app's source code so you won't have to worry about losing your app if the platform goes out of business, or you want to further develop your app with your own coding skills?

Consider the following:

• Choose Draftbit: Draftbit allows you to export your app's source code for compatibility with the React Native framework and scales well on that framework, making it an ideal choice for scaling web apps where code ownership is essential.

• Choose FlutterFlow: FlutterFlow allows you to download your Dart source code. Because it's based on Flutter, FlutterFlow is ideal for scaling native mobile apps for iOS and Android systems—provided you have the technical expertise to manage the exported code and external database.

• Choose Adalo: Adalo is excellent for scaling apps to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. The platform's modular infrastructure scales to serve apps with millions of MAU, with no upper ceiling. With proper data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million monthly active users. While Adalo doesn't allow source code export, the platform's stability (99%+ uptime, 20 million+ daily data requests) and unlimited database records mean you can build and scale without worrying about platform limitations.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

When debating Draftbit vs. FlutterFlow vs. Adalo, consider the following points:

• How much coding knowledge do you have?
• Do you want to manage your own database, or have it built-in?
• How much can you spend, including hidden costs?
• How many apps do you want to build?
• Do you need true native apps or are web wrappers acceptable?

Technical users who want to patch in their code and keep their source code after publishing might want to consider Draftbit or FlutterFlow. Both require significant technical knowledge and external database management.

For those who want to release their app in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, Draftbit has the edge over FlutterFlow at the entry level. Draftbit allows you to publish on the app stores for $29/month, while FlutterFlow requires the $70/month tier for app store publishing.

However, Adalo appeals to both technical and non-technical users. Adalo lets you publish your app to the app stores for $45/month ($36/month billed annually) with unlimited usage and no record limits—no surprise charges.

Adalo also offers better value at comparable tiers. Its Professional plan at $65/month ($52/month billed annually) is significantly cheaper than FlutterFlow and Draftbit's comparable tiers at $70/month and $79/month respectively—and Adalo includes a built-in database while competitors require you to source and pay for one separately.

When evaluating third-party ratings or comparisons, note that most predate Adalo 3.0's infrastructure overhaul in late 2025, which made the platform 3-4x faster with modular scaling architecture.

Next Steps: Build the App of Your Dreams with Adalo

Are you not part of the tech crowd and don't know a thing about coding? Or maybe you're a seasoned programmer who wants a user-friendly app-building experience. No matter how tech-savvy you are (or aren't), Adalo is the AI-powered app builder that can make your app a reality.

When comparing Draftbit vs. FlutterFlow vs. Adalo for ease of use, Adalo stands apart. It has an extremely easy learning curve—described as "easy as PowerPoint"—but it packs enough punch and design freedom for you to make an uber-professional, eye-catching app. The upcoming AI Builder promises vibe-coding creation speed for even faster development.

Choose from almost 40 different templates to get started. Then, select from over 100 plugins and 5,500 integrations to supercharge your app. With unlimited database records on paid plans, no usage-based charges, and infrastructure that scales to millions of users, Adalo removes the technical barriers that hold back other platforms.

Sign up with Adalo for free right now!

[INTERNAL LINK: Adalo pricing page for detailed plan comparison] [INTERNAL LINK: Adalo vs Bubble comparison article] [INTERNAL LINK: How to build your first app with Adalo tutorial]

FAQ

Question	Answer
Why choose Adalo over other app building solutions?	Adalo is an AI-powered app builder that creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase. Unlike web wrappers, it compiles to native code and publishes directly to both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store—the hardest part of launching an app handled automatically. With unlimited database records on paid plans and no usage-based charges, you get predictable pricing without bill shock.
What's the fastest way to build and publish an app to the App Store?	Adalo's drag-and-drop interface combined with AI-assisted building lets you go from idea to published app in days rather than months. Magic Start generates complete app foundations from simple descriptions, and Adalo handles the complex App Store submission process so you can focus on your app's features instead of wrestling with certificates and provisioning profiles.
Which is more affordable, Adalo or FlutterFlow?	Adalo starts at $36/month (billed annually) for app store publishing with unlimited usage and a built-in database. FlutterFlow requires $70/month for app store publishing and doesn't include a database—you'll need to source, set up, and pay for one separately. When you factor in total cost including database, Adalo offers significantly better value.
Which is faster to build with, Adalo or Draftbit?	Adalo is faster for most users because it requires no coding knowledge. Magic Start can generate complete app foundations from descriptions in minutes, and the visual builder displays up to 400 screens at once for complete project visibility. Draftbit requires React Native familiarity and external database setup, adding significant development time.
Which is easier for beginners, Adalo or FlutterFlow?	Adalo is significantly easier for beginners. FlutterFlow is a low-code platform requiring familiarity with the Flutter framework and Dart programming language, plus you need to set up and manage your own external database. Adalo requires no technical knowledge—the visual builder is described as "easy as PowerPoint" with a built-in database included.
Is Adalo better than Draftbit for mobile apps?	For most users, yes. Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps from a single codebase without requiring coding knowledge. Draftbit requires React Native expertise and external database management. Adalo also includes unlimited database records on paid plans and scales to 1M+ monthly active users with its modular infrastructure.
Can I migrate from FlutterFlow to Adalo?	While there's no direct migration tool, you can rebuild your app in Adalo using Magic Start to generate your app foundation quickly. Many users find Adalo's AI-assisted building faster than expected, and the built-in database eliminates the need to manage external database connections you may have set up with FlutterFlow.
Do I need coding experience to use Adalo?	No. Adalo is designed for users without coding knowledge. The visual builder lets you create apps by dragging and dropping components, and AI features like Magic Start and Magic Add let you describe what you want in plain language. Technical users can add custom code when needed, but it's never required.
How does Adalo compare to Bubble for mobile apps?	Adalo creates true native iOS and Android apps, while Bubble's mobile solution is a wrapper for web apps—introducing potential performance challenges at scale. Adalo starts at $36/month with unlimited usage, while Bubble starts at $59/month with usage-based Workload Unit charges and record limits. Adalo's single codebase automatically updates web, Android, and iOS apps simultaneously.
Can Adalo apps scale to handle millions of users?	Yes. Adalo's modular infrastructure, overhauled with the 3.0 release in late 2025, scales to serve apps with millions of monthly active users with no upper ceiling. The platform processes 20 million+ data requests daily with 99%+ uptime. With proper data relationship setups, Adalo apps can scale beyond 1 million MAU.